Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2002/08/15

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Subject: Re: [Leica] Catholic christening
From: Mark Rabiner <mark@markrabiner.com>
Date: Thu, 15 Aug 2002 00:25:22 -0700
References: <5D39B2D8-AFEB-11D6-8506-0050E42E6E0B@shaw.ca>

John Collier wrote:
> 
> Everything depends on the priest and the layout of the church. I
> photographed my wife's godchild's christening and everything was very
> easy. DO NOT ARRIVE AT THE SERVICE COLD TURKEY. Meet with the priest,
> view the church, find out where the font is, where the godparents and
> priest stand etc. Rehearsals are not unusual so be there if there is
> one. I was using Nikons then but I cannot complain about the 105/2.5. A
> very nice lens indeed. I shot mostly long at the time but I would
> definitely go wider now. It gives more atmosphere – provided the church
> has a atmosphere to give.
> 
> John Collier
> 
John I've shot Weddings never a Christening yet but they both have a
Priest trying to conduct a ceremony and I'd think some other similarities..

If a priest, minister or Rabbi gets anywhere near me the first 5 minutes
I'm over there they'll tell me to not use flash for sure.
They may have other rules on from there to tell me about. I'm toast.

So I avoid them. I stay at the opposite side of the room from them.
Really! I don't let them get near me.
They beckon me over. I expertly act like i didn't see them.

They can see me not jumping around but calmly shooting pictures and
blending in, not disturbing conversations and talking with the family.

I have this continue as long as I can. Finally fifteen, twenty or thirty
minutes later I'll end up passing by the priest and he/she will not say
a word to me other than a greeting. "Get good pictures now!"\
No restrictions. They know I'm not an idiot.

I get to shoot with a flash like I've done in most of my 150 weddings.
And i am not restricted to certain areas.

This is a good thing because i find i can use flash with out disturbing
the ceremony and get much better shots.
I shoot medium format for such things.

If i wasn't using flash I'd be the only one in the church not using
flash as 20 of the relatives would be.

Lots of flashes popping in a serious ceremony you hate like heck to see
that happen but at that point you know your flash is not going to make
any difference. 
And it of course makes no sense to be the only camera with a flash not popping.



Mark Rabiner
Portland, Oregon USA
http://www.markrabiner.com
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In reply to: Message from John Collier <jbcollier@shaw.ca> (Re: [Leica] Catholic christening)